How will the Saints cope now that Michael Thomas has been ruled out for the rest of the season?
Though they’ve got decent cover in a promising rookie, the Saints have been dealt a major blow and not for the first time, with their star wideout.
If you’re a Saints fan, you could probably be forgiven for thinking the fates have it out for your team. With the latest news confirming the season is over for their star, it looks like dark times lie ahead for New Orleans.
Michael Thomas set to miss remainder of 2022-23 NFL season
According to unfortunate reports, the New Orleans Saints have to do without the services of their best wide receiver as it now appears he’s going to miss the rest of the season. Speaking on Thursday, head coach Dennis Allen revealed that Thomas will be placed on injured reserve and that he does not expect to see Thomas play again this season. If you missed it, Thomas has been out with a toe injury since Week 3. With that, he’s now due to undergo an operation on what has been called a ‘dislocated second toe.’ It goes without saying, that this is a major blow to the Saints who had been hopeful that with rest and treatment, he would be able to return.
Tough Break: Michael Thomas’ season derailed once again
Regardless of what team you support, you’ve got to feel for Thomas who now faces the harsh truth that this is the third straight season he’s been ruled out due to injury. Hard to believe, but since he set a new single-season record of 149 receptions back in 2019, the Saints wideout has played just 10 games. Across them, he’s hauled in 56 passes for 609 yards and three touchdowns. In 2020 he was see the field only seven times due to continued ankle problems. Then there was 2021, which was even worse as the said same injury just wouldn’t heal. Ultimately, Thomas didn’t play a single game in the campaign, as he was forced to undergo surgery.
This is where insult gets added to injury - no pun intended. Thomas was sadly en route to a very credible campaign with 16 catches for 171 yards and three TDs in the first three games. Now, that’s all a memory and where the team is concerned a headache that will need addressing in the now. What’s likely to happen now is that the Saints will turn to rookie Chris Olave, while contemplating what to do about Thomas’ long term future with the franchise.